Summer is just around the corner. The kids will soon be out of school, and the wide open road beckons! It’s time to take that long-awaited road trip with the family, which of course includes your favorite furry friend!
Before you go, here are a few important tips to remember.
Safety and Planning Tips:
1) It’s safer for everyone if your dog is securely fastened or confined during car trips. Consider a soft sided, easy to carry, collapsible crate safely secured in the car, or a dog vehicle harness with seat belt attachment or anchor. Harnesses offer the advantage of allowing your dog to move, but not to the point of causing safety issues. Be sure to secure your dog in the backseat. Dogs can be seriously injured if you have an accident and an airbag deploys.
2) Microchip your dog prior to leaving home, and make sure his ID tag info is up-to-date and includes your cell phone number. You may also want to check out the new facial recognition app for locating Fido. With this new app, it’s a cinch to map your dog’s facial features and register him with Finding Rover in case he ever gets lost.
3) You have heard it before, but it bears repeating! Never leave your dog in the car unattended. Temperatures can rise very rapidly in a short time and be life threatening.
4) Locate animal emergency clinics along your route ahead of time. A first aid kit including natural calmatives such as ginger (for soothing an upset tummy) may also come in handy. Dog appeasing pheromone spray can also help ease your dog’s anxiety. Just spray it on a bandana and have your dog wear it during the trip. Studies show that dog appeasing pheromone spray works as well as Clomicalm (the most often prescribed drug for anxiety), but has no side effects!
5) Does your dog love to flap his ears in the breeze? Then it’s a good idea to invest in a pair of eye goggles (or doggles) to protect his eyes against flying dirt and debris. He will thank you and look WAY too cool all at the same time. (Think Snoopy WWI flying Ace).
6) Bring a spill-proof water bowl, plenty of fresh water, and some durable long-lasting chew toys to keep him happily occupied along the way.
Training Tips:
1) Teach your dog to remain calm, and “wait” or” stay” until you are certain he will be safe upon exiting.
2) Train your dog to eliminate on cue in areas other than the backyard. Use a specific cue, like “go hurry” just before your dog eliminates, and then praise and treat to reinforce the behavior. Teaching your dog to eliminate on cue will allow for faster bathroom breaks at rest stops.
3) Teach your dog how to jump up into your vehicle on cue. For large senior dogs or for those that cannot easily get into your vehicle, a folding ramp can be a great help.
4) Socialize your dog well and make sure he is comfortable and happy in a variety of situations before taking him on a long trek. Take him with you on local trips around town, when running errands , or when visiting friends. Frequent trips to the park, beach, and a couple of outdoor dog-friendly restaurants or coffee shops will make things a lot easier on both of you when you have your summer adventure.
Road Trip! 🙂